Leeks in white Sauce with Bacon

Method10 steps · about 20 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Wash the leeks (500 g) and remove the outer leaves if necessary. Trim both ends and cut the leeks into portions. For 2 large leeks I cut them in half.

   Uses 500 g leeks

2. 2

   Step 2: Put the prepared washed leek portions into a pan of separate boiling water. Simmer for 5–10 minutes until tender.

   Simmer leeks · 10 minUses separate water for boiling leeks · 500 g leeks washed, trimmed and cut into short portions

3. 3

   Step 3: Turn off the heat and leave the cooked leeks in their hot water to keep warm. Meanwhile, make the sauce.

   Uses Leeks simmered for 5–10 minutes until tender

4. 4

   Step 4: Put the milk (250 ml), butter (25 g), flour (25 g), measured salt (½ tsp) and black pepper (½ tsp) in a small saucepan.

   Uses 250 ml milk · 25 g butter · 25 g flour · ½ tsp salt · ½ tsp black pepper

5. 5

   Step 5: Whisk the prepared cold sauce ingredients until the flour is evenly dispersed, then turn on medium heat.

   Uses 250 ml milk,25 g butter,25 g flour and measured salt and pepper in a cold pan

6. 6

   Step 6: Continue whisking the prepared sauce mixture as the butter melts and the sauce thickens and comes to a gentle boil.

   Uses Same cold mixture whisked and heated over medium heat

7. 7

   Step 7: Reduce the sauce heat and cook gently for 1 minute to cook the flour, then stir in the ground nutmeg (0.5 tsp). Put the bacon lardons (150 g) in a separate cold frying pan, set over medium heat and fry for about 2–3 minutes, stirring, until crisp and golden.

   Fry smoked bacon lardons · 3 minUses 150 g lardons (smoked) · 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg · Milk-butter-flour sauce whisked until thick and bubbling

8. 8

   Step 8: Drain the prepared cooked leeks thoroughly and put in a warm serving dish covered with foil.

   Uses Tender leeks kept warm in their cooking water with the heat off

9. 9

   Step 9: Check for any extra water drained into the dish and mop it up if needed. Gently reheat the prepared nutmeg white sauce and pour over the drained leeks.

   Uses Cooked leeks drained and covered to keep warm in the dish · Prepared white sauce cooked for 1 minute and ground nutmeg added

10. 10

    Step 10: Scatter the prepared crisp cooked bacon over the leeks and sauce and serve.

    Uses Warm drained leeks covered with reheated nutmeg white sauce · 150 g lardons fried for 2–3 minutes until crisp and golden